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Spurrier satisfied with S.C.'s Class

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier didn't promise any Southeastern Conference titles on signing day. But he said if the players who signed Wednesday live up to their potential, the Gamecocks could have the best four- or five-year run in program history.

Expectations are rising for South Carolina as the Gamecocks return 15 starters, including their top runner, passer and receiver. Add turmoil among the powers in the SEC East and a solid recruiting class led by one of the best running back prospects in the nation, and it's one of the most hopeful off-seasons in a long time.

"With these new players coming in, I really believe we've got a chance in the next four or five years to be a lot better than we've ever been here," Spurrier said.

He said the Gamecocks, who went 7-6 last season, still have a long way to go. The notion was reinforced Tuesday when he and the team watched a recording of their ugly 20-7 loss in the Papajohns.com bowl together for the first time. Still, Spurrier's remaining optimistic as he enters his sixth year at South Carolina without any better than an eight-win season.

"We've got some good young guys here ready to go play," he said.

His 24 signees are led by running back Marcus Lattimore, who shrugged off Auburn in choosing South Carolina.

The Gamecocks also signed the six offensive linemen they wanted, said recruiting coordinator Shane Beamer. That fills a critical need: South Carolina finished last in the SEC in rushing in 2009 and allowed 37 sacks, and the struggling unit lost two starters.

Spurrier said he also is impressed with the four defensive backs who signed Wednesday, including Sharrod Golightly, who committed to Vanderbilt before changing his mind.

Spurrier wasn't afraid to put his recruits right on the field last year. Alshon Jeffery was the team's leading receiver and Stephon Gilmore emerged as a cornerback who could take on the other team's best receiver. The coach said he expects a number of this year's signees will get on the field quickly, too.

"There's a good chance, seven, eight, 10 of them will play," he said.

"Easily," Beamer added.

Even with Lattimore, the Gamecocks' class is considered solid but not spectacular. ESPN ranks it 18th in the country, Rivals.com ranks it 26th, and Scout.com ranks it 34th. All three Web sites have South Carolina in the bottom half of the SEC for 2010.

While he was excited with the class, Spurrier said he couldn't shake the last time the Gamecocks took the field. He started his news conference Wednesday by apologizing again for the bowl loss, and later called it one of the three most embarrassing games of the 335 he has coached in his career.